THE WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5329, 26 April 1878, Page 5

THE WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

It is now some twelve months since the first initiatory steps were taken to establish a Working Men’s Club in Wellington, when about half-a-dozen tradesmen held a meeting at a certain hotel in Te Aro, and decided to make efforts towards establishing such an institution. After that a meeting was convened by advertisement ‘‘of those favorable to the establishment of a Working Men’s Club,” to be held in the Foresters’ Hall. About two or three dozen came on the appointed night to the outside of the hall, and there being no evidence of a meeting, they went away almost as fast as they arrived. However, after a short time, those who remained—about a dozen—made inquiries as to why there was no meeting, when it was found that the hall had been let to another body the same evening. That meeting would probably have fallen through had not one of the party suggested that an adjournment should be made to the nearest hotel, and accordingly the National Hotel was selected, the affair debated for about an hour, and success drunk to the embryo club. Another meeting was called at the Foresters’ Hall in about a fortnight’s time, aud about thirty or forty were present. It was then decided that a Working Men’s Club should be established, on the basis of the Dunedin Working Men’s Club, and that a copy of their rules should be sent for. A provisional committee was appointed to revise the rules, it they thought it necessary to do so ; and they were empowered to call a general meeting, whenever they thought proper, for the initiation of members, election of committee, trustees, &o. In a few weeks after the meeting was called, aud about 30 enrolled their names as members. Mr. Hutchison, the then Mayor of the city, occupied the chair; and Mr. Samuel Brown, contractor, aud Mr. Hutchison, were appointed trustees of the club, and became its first honorary members. At the meeting iu question it was decided that Mr. Hutchison should ask his Excellency the Governor to become patron of the club, and his Excellency, in a very gracious letter, consented to do so. No doubt the example of the Governor of the colony _ aud the Mayor of the city helped in no small way to make the club appear as an institution deserving of support from the employers of labor as well as from their workmen, aud the number of members and honorary members rapidly increased. Premises were soon secured, which were then thought quite ample, but which, after a few months, were found to be totally inadequate for the number of members who had joined, and who were joining every week; aud the club was formally opened, if we remember rightly, about the 23rd of July. The committee accordingly commenced to look about for a more commodious place, and the top storey of the Athenseum was thought by some to be the best habitation for the club till such time as the members were able to launch out and build for themselves. The matter was a good deal thought about, aud freely discussed, aud although favored by a few yet the majority seemed to be of opinion that the two institutions would not work well together, more especially as there would be only one means of ingress aud egress for the members of the two institutions. One or two sites in Willis-street occupied the attention of the committee ; but although the positions were good, the premises were not found to be adequate. Application was then made to the Mayor, Mr. Dransfield, for an inter-

view, the object betng to lease the Market Hall Reserve for a term of years from the Corporation. His Worship at once acceded to the request of the committee, and appointed a day to meet a deputation from the committee of the club. The deputation went to the Provincial Buildings on the day appointed, and were, at their request, introduced to the Mayor by Mr. Hutchison, who had only a short time previously vacated the mayoral chair himself. The deputation having explained their views, and told the Mayor that it was their intention, if found practicable, to establish a free reading-room, provided the Corporation granted the lease of the Market Hall Reserve on the same terms as it was offered to the volunteers some time before, namely, 52 years’ lease, at £IOO per annum, his Worship requested thorn to put their views in writing ; but he told them that he had been thinking for some time about converting the reserve into public baths. He did not, as was afterwards asserted, hold out hopes to the deputation ; he merely said that he was favorably impressed with the views put forward, and if the deputation put their views in writing, they would receive his best consideration, and he would bring the matter before the Council. The committee dratted a memorandum as to the probable receipts and expenditure, and explained what they intended to do if the Corporation consented to grant them the lease which they asked of the reserve. Mr. Dransfleld, at the next meeting of the Council, brought the matter under its consideration, when it was resolved that the application could not bo entertained “for the present.” The committee of the club thought it better not to roly on the latter clause of the resolution of the Council, and they made overtures to Messrs. Eddie and Jack, wine and spirit merchants, of Manners-street, and the result has been that another valuable building is about being added to those which have recently been erected in that street. The new club-house will bo next to the theatre which has just been finished, and which is now receiving the last touches of the artists’ and painters’ brushes. Messrs. Eddie- and Jack will occupy the rear of the basement story, whilst in front there will be two handsome if not very commodious shops. The club will occupy the entire portion of the other two stories, which they have taken on a seven years’ lease, at a rental of £5 per week. Although the rent seems high for a Working Man's Club, yet when the position and extent of the club are taken into consideration, it does not appear to be so largo as at first sight, as it would bo difficult to get a much better site for the club than the one selected. There will bo only two rooms on the second storey, but they will bo found to bo of very largo The billiard-room will bo in front of the building, and will be about 50ft. x 22ft. The next roam will be what is termed the club room, whore men will sit, chat, smoke their pipes, read the daily papers, sip their beverages, whether spirits, ale, tea, or coffee, all oC which can bo had at reasonable rates. _ This room will uot bo quite so largo ns the billiard-room, but will bo of very good dimensions for all that —probably 47ft. or 48ft. x 18ft.—tho ground running into a triangular fashion at the roar. In tho third floor will be placed tho library (which is not over largo at present, but which it is proposed to enlarge as soon as funds are available, or can bo raised by moans of lectures), where it is intended to enforce strict silence. This room will be probably about 26ft. or 28ft. by 22ft.; and off it will be a room for tho use of tho committee, and which can also be sot apart for chess, draughts, whist, or quiet games of that description. The other portion of tho third-floor will bo occupied by a kitchen, bedroom, and sitting-room for tho use of the steward. Tho bar will bo on

the second floor, and will be so constructed as to have easy communication with either the club or the billiard-room, whilst it will also be available from the landing, which will be a commodious one. Ample means of ventilation have been provided, no less than ten air-pipes, on the Tobin principle of ventilation, having been provided. The architect is Mr. O. Tringham, and the builders are Messrs. Thompson o.nd Mitchell. From the present appearance of the building, it looks as if about six' weeks would be sufficient time for its completion : and when finished we have but little doubt that it will reflect credit on the architect and builders, as well as on the spirited proprietors, Messrs. Eddie and Jack, who are to be congratulated on adding another fine building to the architecture of the city, and we have no doubt their undertaking will be found in every way a financial success. At the present time the Working Men’s Club numbers close on 250 ordinary members and 100 honorary members ; and it has two life members in the persons of Mr. T. O. Williams and Mr. Walter Turnbull, the latter gentleman having forwarded to the club ten guineas a _ few days before proceeding to Europe, by virtue of which donation he became entitled to life membership. Altogether, the members and committee are to be congratulated upon bringing the club, so far, to such a successful issue ; and the half-dozen who first met at Te Aro for the purpose of setting the ball a-rolling are deserving of the best thanks of the community for initiating an institution which ought to be a great boon to the working classes, and not to them only, but to all who may be desirous of enjoying a little harmless conviviality ; for the club is very wisely not restricted to working men, but to all classes alike. The future success of the club remains with the members themselves. If gambling and drinking to excess in any shape and profane language are prevented, and prevented strictly, the institution is sure to succeed ; but if the place is conducted loosely, we should not like to answer for its success. The members also must learn to respect each other’s convictions, no matter what these convictions may be ; but if any set or clique obtrude their opinions, to the annoyance of others, it will tend to do away with the harmony which ought to exist in every club, and without which it will be found difficult to do the amount of good which such institutions ought to be able to do to the community in which they are established.